(Newser)
–
Diane Selkirk has heard the criticism of the Kaufman family, who decided to sail around the globe with their two young children only to see one of them fall ill and need to be rescued. But on Slate, she explains why "adventure sailing with young children," while risky, is "the best way I know how to parent." She and her husband, too, are raising their daughter largely at sea; at 12, she's "put in more sea hours than shopping hours and is more familiar with the stars in the sky ... than the ones in the tabloids." She and other "cruising families" support the Kaufmans (and Selkirk is actually friendly with Charlotte Kaufman), and are trying to raise money to help them since their disabled boat was ultimately lost.

Yes, the lifestyle can be dangerous, and maybe some think that makes it "reckless," Selkirk writes. But the benefits outweigh the risk, she argues. "Most of us boat parents chose to embark on voyages with our kids not because they’re inconveniently along for the ride but because we’ve made an intentional choice to share the journey with them," offering them adventures from seeing the Northern Lights to snorkeling with sharks to learning different languages. Research has shown that those early experiences can benefit kids later in life. "Yes, there is risk involved in daring to show her the world—but the alternative, the one where we never share our passions with our child and never show her the value in pursuing her own, seems far more dangerous." Click for Selkirk's full column.

Although I wasn't raised on a sailing boat -- I got the chance to be a Navy brat, living all over the U.S. (coasts) and two foriegn bases. I shutter to think of my world view however the experiences my parents gave me. Seeing how the rest of the world views our culture is truly enlighting... viewing other cultures (not as a tourist) is educational. And, yeah, you're as safe on a sail boat at sea as you are on a Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia, or a Miami freeway!!

pvt. rosales

Apr 10, 2014 9:10 AM CDT

Where did these nerdy turd parents dispose of all their trash, long with all their toilet matter(feces, urine)! Haven't they heard of child endangerment, and what happens? One of their kids get sick and they have to radio for help as they aren't medically qualified! They send a navy ship, they send helicopters, and all the personel to help them out at the cost of us the tax payers!!!! And now they want sympathy and donations? As far Im concerned they created their problem let them live with their problem.....all you bleeding hearts go to???? As far as im concerned:-):-):-):-)